John Matthew Hamby

John Matthew "Matt" Hamby left this sweet, sad, and so short mortal life on July 23rd, 2025, in Roxboro, North Carolina.
His parents, John and June Hamby were honored to have him enter their lives on April 14th, 1956. That's the same day that the Titanic hit that iceberg Matt would tell people. Other famous people born that day include Loretta Lynn (1932), Pete Rose (1941), Adrien Brody (1973) and Sarah Michele (buffy) Gellar (1977).
Matt was born in Dayton, Ohio and grew up in New Lebanon, Ohio. He developed his vast cooking skills at the Joint Vocational School in Montgomery County. Matt could have made a living as a chef.
Besides cooking Matt also enjoyed playing sports at Dixie High School in New Lebanon. A hip injury prevented him from being the fastest (Ok he was one of the slowest) athletes but was quite strong and coordinated. Matt got varsity letters in football and wrestling but also played baseball and golf. Later in life Matt was very good at pool, darts and Texas Hold 'em (more on that later).
Following in the footsteps of his Toolmaker father Matt became a machinist. He got an associate degree in engineering and worked at several machine shops, most notable, The Savanna River Site, with his close friend, Tom McKibben.
Matt enjoyed music. He saw Aerosmith in the Ohio State student union in February 1974 (less than 100 people were there!). He traveled to North Carolina with his brother Mark and friend Roger Castle to attend August Jam, also in 1974. A few of the bands there were The Allman Brothers Band, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Foghat, Black Oak Arkansas and Charlie Daniels. It was emceed by Wolf Man Jack. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Doobie Brothers and Allman Brothers Band are a few of the bands Matt turned people onto. Because of Matt, a local band, Star City, came to New Lebanon and played at the Stone Lounge (Formally the Crack). Anyone who was there will remember Star City playing Dimples by the Allman Brothers Band. (of course, as they say, if you can remember it, you probably weren't there). One of Matts favorite songs was Hocus Pocus by Focus (1973).
Later in his life Matt got involved in lapidary. That is a person who cuts, polishes or engraves gems. Matt would attend gem shows in his RV and buy and sell gems.
After Matt moved to North Carolina he became involved in a card game called Texas Hold 'em. The big games are shown on ESPN, but there are tournaments all over the United States. Matt won several of those tournaments while he was able to travel. He would play with his "poker buddies" until he couldn't.
Matt is survived by sisters, Linda Honn (Oxford, Iowa), Joni "Boo" Hamby, and brother Mark Hamby (Bonnie) Durham, NC.
There are many people who loved Matt, supported Matt and helped him become the man he was. Apologies to those who are left out. Thanks, and gratitude's go out to Jay and Joni Tuck (of Roxboro), Vince Moore, Jeff Holp, Linda Birbal, Katie Graves, Dr. James Bain, handyman Pete Wood, Mike Christiansen the mechanic, his PCP Mr. John Illsley PA and of course, his poker buddies.
A celebration of life service will be held Friday August 29th at Kickback Jacks, 918 W. Club Blvd., Durham, NC, 27701, (919-286-9199) from 3-5:30PM.
Vaya con Dios
Condolences may be sent to www.brooksandwhite.com.